Journal of Human Trafficking
Volume 2, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 259-271

Responding to Domestic Minors Sex Trafficking (DMST): Developing Principle-Based Practices (Article)

Wachter K.* , Cook Heffron L. , Busch-Armendariz N.B. , Nsonwu M.B. , Kammer-Kerwick M. , Kellison B. , Jones A.L.E. , Sanders G.M.
  • a School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
  • b School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
  • c School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
  • d Department of Sociology and Social Work, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, United States
  • e Bureau of Business Research, IC2 Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
  • f Bureau of Business Research, IC2 Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
  • g Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self Defense Center, Chicago, IL, United States
  • h Audio Archives, Austin, TX, United States

Abstract

Over the last decade, modern slavery has emerged as a major social-justice issue. Many new organizations in the United States have begun serving survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST), while others have expanded their services to include this vulnerable population in their mission. This qualitative study describes the principle-based practices that emerged from structured interviews with staff employed at five well-established organizations in the United States whose missions include providing direct services to DMST survivors. Thematic analysis identified five guiding principle-based practices for working with DMST survivors: nurture the humanity and dignity of clients; contextualize the needs of survivors within a broader social-justice framework; prioritize the immediate and practical needs of clients; support of the dynamic nature of survivors’ healing; help identify and engage community and professional partners who are essential to the work of serving DMST survivors and ending sex trafficking. This research enhances the field’s understanding of principle-based practice with DMST survivors and encourages those working with DMST survivors to critically consider the principles behind their practice. The findings are particularly important given complex vulnerabilities and needs, and the significant rise in the number of untrained organizations providing services to survivors. © 2016, © 2016 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

sex trafficking Modern-day slavery Trafficking victims protection act (TVPA) Domestic minor sex trafficking Trafficking in persons Human trafficking

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85066326663&doi=10.1080%2f23322705.2016.1145489&partnerID=40&md5=42343673c0c9b30e1baa0de63dbb949b

DOI: 10.1080/23322705.2016.1145489
ISSN: 23322705
Original Language: English